Our People
Peter McLay has "a great understanding of the electricity market."
Energy and Natural Resources: Chambers Europe 2010
Peter is also recognised as a leading lawyer by the Euromoney Expert Guide to the World's Leading Energy and Natural Resources lawyers.
Expertise
Peter is an Associate in the Projects, Energy and Construction Group, specialising in energy-related work with an emphasis on the Irish electricity and gas markets, including the All-Island Single Electricity Market (SEM), and the regulatory and licensing regimes applicable to each of these markets. Prior to joining Matheson Ormsby Prentice, Peter was employed by the Commission for Energy Regulation, where he gained substantial experience in relation to the current Irish regulatory framework in the course of his work developing the trading arrangements and licences that support the SEM. Prior to working with the Commission, Peter gained considerable corporate and commercial legal experience with firms in New Zealand, London and Dublin.
Education
University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, Bachelor of Law
University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, Bachelor of Arts
University College Dublin , Master of Arts (Economics)
Highlights
Electricity Generation
- Endesa SA in relation to its acquisition of a major portfolio of electricity generating stations from ESB, and its entry into the Irish electricity market
- Tynagh Energy Limited in relation to the modification of the contractual arrangements around the operation of its CCGT generating station to take account of the commencement of trading in the SEM, and in relation to ongoing operational issues
- a European bank in relation to the financing of a number of Irish wind farms, including the availability of RE-FIT support and interaction of each project with the SEM
- a European utility company in relation to a joint venture with an Irish wave energy developer
- a bidder for an international wind energy generation and supply business in relation to contractual and regulatory issues applicable to the target's Irish business
- drafting and negotiating project documentation for an Irish provider of on-site renewable energy installations, and advising in relation to regulatory aspects of its business
Electricity Supply
- a multinational software and computer services firm in relation to the procurement of a supply of electricity to a major IT installation in Dublin
Natural Gas/LNG
- Shannon LNG in relation to the development of a liquefied natural gas terminal and associated pipeline infrastructure, including planning and licensing issues
- an Irish financial services firm in relation to its accession to the Uniform Network Code (UK)
Energy Infrastructure
- a multi-modal Irish transport provider in relation to the procurement of fuel oil
- contractual framework for the administration of a shared fuel oil pipeline
Energy Regulation
Matters that Peter was involved in while employed by the Commission for Energy Regulation include:
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the development of new Market Operator licences, and revised System Operator licences, to be issued to EirGrid and S.O.N.I. (the transmission system operators in the two SEM jurisdictions), and management of the public consultation processes in relation thereto
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the development of the SEM Trading & Settlement Code, including participation in negotiations with the Market Operator establishment team in relation to various aspects of the document and detailed input into the legal review of the document
